How Can You Get Saudi Premium Residency Through Property Investment?

For many overseas buyers, investing in Saudi property is no longer only about rent or future price growth. It can also form part of a bigger decision to live in the Kingdom, move a family or establish a lasting business presence. Saudi Premium Residency through property investment allows eligible buyers to apply for Real Estate Owner Residency by owning qualifying residential property in the Kingdom.

Applicants must own qualifying residential real estate worth at least SAR 4 million, subject to the Premium Residency Centre’s current eligibility conditions.

Important: Saudi Premium Residency conditions may change. Confirm the current property threshold, eligible asset type, financing conditions and supporting documents before paying a deposit with Bayut-KSA.

Saudi Real Estate Owner Residency at a Glance

What Is Real Estate Owner Residency?

Real Estate Owner Residency is a Saudi Premium Residency product for eligible individuals who own qualifying residential property worth at least SAR 4 million in the Kingdom.

Unlike an ordinary employer-sponsored Iqama, Premium Residency is designed to provide greater independence from a single employer. Premium Residency provides eligible holders with greater independence from employer-sponsored residency. It includes rights relating to residence, eligible family members, private-sector employment and permitted commercial activity, subject to Saudi regulations.

It is NOT:

• Saudi citizenship
• A tourist or business visa
• Automatic residency after buying any property
• A substitute for company registration
• A guarantee of investment returns

Under the Premium Residency Permit Law, Premium Residency may be permanent or fixed-term, with individual products created within that wider framework. Residency under this product remains linked to continued ownership of qualifying real estate.

What Are the Property Requirements for Saudi Premium Residency?

A property used for a residency application must satisfy more than a minimum price. The property must meet the Real Estate Owner Residency requirements for value, residential use, development status, ownership and valuation.

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Before purchasing, confirm:

• Whether joint ownership is permitted for the application
• Whether the title registration meets Premium Residency requirements
• Whether any location-specific ownership restrictions apply
• Whether multiple qualifying properties can be combined to meet the minimum property value

These points should be checked directly with the Premium Residency Centre before the transaction.

How to Get Real Estate Owner Residency in Saudi Arabia?

1. Confirm your personal Premium Residency eligibility.
2. Check whether you can legally acquire the chosen property.
3. Select qualifying residential property worth at least SAR 4 million.
4. Review the title, seller, developer and restrictions.
5. Obtain the required accredited property valuation.
6. Complete the purchase and registration.
7. Prepare the personal, financial, medical and property documents.
8. Apply through the official Premium Residency platform.
9. Complete the post-approval requirements. Once approval is issued, the applicant has 30 days to pay the approved Premium Residency fee and provide medical insurance. If these requirements are not completed within the deadline, the application is treated as cancelled.

What Type of Property Should Buyers Consider?

Buyers should focus on qualifying developed residential property, such as completed apartments, villas and townhouses. They must meet the programme’s value, ownership and valuation requirements.

Before signing, the buyer should examine:

• Residential classification
• The seller’s legal authority
• Ownership and title records
• Outstanding liabilities
• Project and developer approvals
• Location restrictions
• Financing or liens
• The recognised property value.

Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate Registry records property details, ownership, rights and obligations in areas where title registration has been introduced. Buyers should check whether the selected property falls within an active registration area.

What Does the Saudi Premium Residency Law Allow?

The Premium Residency Permit Law gives holders several defined rights, subject to Saudi regulations. These include:

• Living in Saudi Arabia with eligible family members
• Applying for visit visas for relatives
• Recruiting domestic workers
• Working and changing jobs in the private sector, except roles reserved for Saudi nationals
• Entering and leaving Saudi Arabia without a separate visa
• Conducting permitted commercial activities
• Owning residential, commercial and industrial property in permitted areas

In Makkah and Madinah, the law provides for usufruct rights of up to 99 years, subject to the applicable procedures and controls.

What Changed for Foreign Property Buyers in Saudi Arabia in 2026?

The updated foreign-ownership system took effect on 22 January 2026. These ownership rules determine whether and where a foreign buyer may acquire property, while Real Estate Owner Residency has its own separate eligibility requirements.

Residents can apply through Saudi Properties using their Iqama details. Non-residents begin through Saudi embassies or official representations to obtain the digital identity needed for the portal. Foreign companies without a Saudi presence must first register through Invest Saudi and obtain a Unified Number.

Separately, the Premium Residency Permit Law allows holders to own residential, commercial and industrial property in permitted areas outside Makkah, Madinah and border areas. In Makkah and Madinah, the law provides for usufruct rights of up to 99 years, subject to official controls.

Who Can Apply for Saudi Premium Residency?

Applicants must meet the general conditions in the Premium Residency Permit Law. These include:

• A valid passport
• Proof of financial solvency
• A clear criminal record
• A medical report confirming freedom from communicable diseases
• Legal residence in Saudi Arabia when applying from inside the Kingdom

The medical report must be no more than six months old when the application is submitted.

How Is the Property Valued for Saudi Premium Residency?

The Saudi Authority for Accredited Valuers, known as Taqeem, regulates accredited property valuation in the Kingdom. The official online channel for requesting a reliable property valuation is the Qayyim platform, which connects users with licensed valuation firms.

A valuation can help confirm:

• Recognised market value
• Whether the qualifying threshold is met
• Property condition
• The reasonableness of the asking price
• The evidence required for further legal review.

What Costs Should Buyers Expect?

The Real Estate Owner Residency product also carries the applicable Premium Residency application/product fee, separate from the property purchase and transaction costs

Saudi Arabia generally imposes a 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax, subject to statutory exemptions. On a SAR 4 million transaction, this would equal an illustrative SAR 200,000.

Other costs may include:

• Valuation
• Legal review
• Registration
• Insurance
• Financing
• Maintenance
• Service charges
• Furnishing and property management.

Is It a Good Investment to Buy Property for Saudi Premium Residency?

It may be, but residency value and financial return should be assessed separately.

A strong property decision should consider:

• Independent value
• Expected rent
• Vacancy
• Service charges
• Maintenance
• Financing costs
• Project completion risk
• Resale demand
• Total transaction costs.

The residency benefit can strengthen the personal case for buying, but it should not be used to justify an overpriced or unsuitable asset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does buying property automatically grant Premium Residency?

No. Buying property does not automatically grant Premium Residency. The applicant and property must meet the Real Estate Owner Residency requirements and receive official approval.

Is SAR 4 million the full investment cost?

No. SAR 4 million is the minimum qualifying property value, not the total acquisition budget. RETT, valuation, registration, legal and ongoing property costs may increase the overall amount required.

Can an off-plan property qualify?

Do not assume so. Confirm the latest off-plan requirements directly with the Premium Residency Centre before signing. The standard Real Estate Owner Residency route requires qualifying developed residential property. Buyers considering off-plan property should verify whether the specific unit can meet the current Premium Residency criteria before relying on it for residency.

Can the property be mortgaged?

Qualifying property must meet the Real Estate Owner Residency financing requirements. Current programme guidance should be checked before purchasing a mortgaged or financed property for residency purposes.

Does Saudi Premium Residency by Property Investment grant citizenship?

No. Premium Residency does not automatically provide Saudi citizenship.

How Long Does Real Estate Owner Residency Last?

Real Estate Owner Residency is linked to continued ownership of qualifying property. If the holder no longer meets the property conditions, their eligibility for this residency product may be affected.

Start Your Saudi Investment Journey

Saudi property residency can support a wider plan to live, invest and build long-term roots in the Kingdom. The right property is not simply the one priced above SAR 4 million. It is the one that fits the buyer’s legal position, residency goals and financial strategy.